Deputies: Tampa man crashes stolen SUV following pursuit

A Tampa man is in custody this morning after deputies say he stole a car, led authorities on a chase, and crashed into another vehicle before running from the scene.

The chase began around 1:30 a.m., when deputies attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Tahoe — which had been reported stolen to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office — near East 140th and North Nebraska avenues.

When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Jason Fulford, sped away and drove onto Interstate 275 at Fletcher Avenue while deputies gave chase, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies say they stopped the pursuit, but monitored Fulford from a sheriff’s department helicopter, after Fulford exited I-275 at Fowler Avenue, then re-entered by traveling southbound in the northbound lane.

Fulford struck a vehicle after exiting I-275 at Busch Boulevard, deputies say, then side-swiped a second vehicle, before exiting the car and fleeing the scene.

Fulford was taken into custody by deputies and Tampa police officers near the scene, the sheriff’s office said.

The driver in the first vehicle was not injured, but transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for observation, deputies say.

Fulford, who has previously been arrested on grand theft charges, has been transported to Hillsborough County Jail. He faces charges including grand theft and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle.